Captain Daniel Vettori hopes to keep proving New Zealand doubters wrong as his side continue their quest for a Champions Trophy semi-final berth.

The Black Caps need to beat England at the Wanderers on Tuesday in order to boot Sri Lanka out of the tournament and secure themselves a spot amongst the final four teams for the weekend's play-off clashes.

While hosts and fellow Group B competitors South Africa have already exited the tourney in the wake of losses to Sri Lanka and England, the sub-continental team will be forced to leave proceedings if the Kiwis triumph over England in Johannesburg.

"It was always going to be a tight group. Everyone's favourites was South Africa but that's not to be. All the teams in the group have proved themselves at one-day level for a while now. It was always going to be tough. But it's great for us. We have a chance to go through," Vettori enthused at a press conference on Monday.

"Everyone was picking Sri Lanka and South Africa to go through to the semi-finals and New Zealand and England left to battle it out. But it has a been complete reversal so it's great for both sides."

The bearded, bespectacled captain hailed a complete turnaround for England, who came into the Champs Trophy after a six-one ODI series drubbing at the hands of the Aussies, but have since triumphed over Sri Lanka and tourney sign-offs South Africa.

"They have played exceptionally well since they have been here. They have played against two form sides and beaten them completely. If we are to have a chance on Tuesday we are going to have to play pretty well against them." he insisted.

30-year-old Vettori lamented the loss of kingpin batsman Jesse Ryder, who picked up a groin injury in the recent clash against Sri Lanka and has since been ruled out of the limited-overs showpiece. The big-hitting left-hander scored a match-winning 78 runs off just 58 deliveries against Kumar Sangakkara's men and enjoyed prolific form against England when the team last met in February 2008

"It's a big loss for us. The way he played in the last game showed what a destructive player he can be and the last time we played against England in the series at home he was at his best. So he has fond memories of playing against England so that's unfortunate for him," rued the Kiwi skipper.

Aaron Redmond has been called up as a replacement for Ryder, but has endured delays aplenty on his way to South Africa, leaving Vettori, coach Andy Moles and the rest of the team's brains trust to come up with a Plan B.

"Our replacement looks like he is going to get here early on Tuesday so he may not be available for the game either. He more than likely would have come into the team had he not be delayed but it's going to be down to the bare bones of our squad, which is something we are pretty used to. It's something we will consider but it may be too much of an ask to get Redmond to play on the back of some long, tough travel," admitted Vettori

"With Aaron's delay, Martin Guptill is the easy replacement at opener so it's more a case of who is going to bat at three. We are going through one or two options that we have to work with."

New Zealand and England faced off across 10 one-dayers in 2008, of which the Kiwis won six, and Vettori is looking forward to renewing the rivalry with the opposition.

"We played well in the home series and away and, while this is a neutral venue on a pretty good deck that should produce a lot of runs, both sides are going to be confident of winning. I think hopefully for us we are more desperate to win while England are already through to the next stage," he added.

The call-up of all-rounder James Franklin has proved a masterstroke on the back of Jacob Oram's hamstring niggle and Vettori looks forward to more of the same from the southpaw star, while hoping for the best amidst a few other injury concerns.

"Franklin, like Oram, can be selected in the team as a batsman or bowler, which is something that is such a luxury. We thought Franklin would be the obvious choice to replace Jacob and he has proved outstanding for us thus far, turning up and performing the way he has," concluded the captain.

"Other than Ryder, Daryl Tuffey got a smack to the hand and is having that looked at, while Ian Butler is better after an intestinal infection and should be available for selection."

Jonhenry Wilson in Johannesburg